Camera case and locking mechanism therefor



April 25, 1950 J. BRISKIN ETAL 2,505,661

CAMERA CASE AND LOCKING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 27, 1948 3 Shets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS.

April 25, 1950 J. BRISKIN ETAL 2,505,661

CAMERA CASE AND LOCKING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 27, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. 353M610 fiOM April 25, 1950 J. BRISKIN ET AL 2,505,661

CAMERA CASE AND LOCKING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed March 27, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 25, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAMERA CASE AND LOCKIN G MECHANISM THEREFOR Jack Briskin and Josep 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a camera case for a motion picture camera of the type utilizing a film magazine, the case including an improved mechanism for locking and unlocking the door of the case. The door locking mechanism is provided with a cooperating means for actuating the shutter of the film magazine in timed relationship with the operations of door locking and unlocking.

Motion picture cameras of the magazine type are currently accepted as particularl desirable for amateur use. The film for this type of camera is packaged in a container called a magazine. Such a magazine is quickly and easily inserted bodily into a magazine chamber provided in the camera, and the camera is merely closed and locked in order to condition the camera for motion picture taking. There is no complicated threading of film or other operation that might result in errors such as accidental, premature film exposure. Our invention concerns itself with the case for a magazine type camera of this general character.

One object of the invention is to provide a camera case having a door that opens in a manner so as to permit the operation of magazine loading to be accomplished with extreme ease. The construction of the case has taken into consideration various practical aspects of normal camera use such as field loading where the amateur must hold the camera in one hand and insert the magazine with the other.

Another object is to provide an improved looking mechanism particularly suited to the present camera case. This locking mechanism utilizes a single manual control that has two normal operative positions, the open position and the close position.

The film magazines used with this type of camera have an aperture through which the film is exposed. This aperture is in optical alignment with the Objective lens of the camera when the magazine is operatively positioned in the camera. The magazine also has a shutter that is adapted to cover and close the aperture when the magazine is exposed to light, that is, when the magazine is not inside the camera. It will be understood that oftentimes a partially exposed magazine will be removed and replaced with another partially exposed magazine, as is encountered when maintaining predetermined film sequences, or when interchanging between black and white, and color film. Therefore, after loading the camera with a magazine, it is necessary to open the shutter prior to picture taking. Conversely, when unloading the camera, it is necessary to close the shutter before the magazine is withdrawn and exposed to light conditions.

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide means in conjunction with the door locking mechanism for opening and closing the magazine shutter in timed relation with the operations of locking and unlocking of the door. The shutter actuating means is such that all possibility of inadvertent film exposure during unloading is substantially eliminated. Specifically, the lockin mechanism and actuating means cooperate to close the shutter completely prior to mechanism action that unlocks the camera door. Therefore, when the door is finally released so that the magazine may be removed, the shutter is fully closed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein one form of the invention is shown. It is to be understood that the description and drawings are illustrative only, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a movie camera utilizing the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a typical film magazine for use in such a camera;

Fig. 3 is a rear end view, partly in section, of the camera showing a magazine positioned therem;

Fig. 4 is a top view, partly broken away, of the camera showing the camera door in fully open position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing in detail one form of our locking mechanism and associated shutter controlling means;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a modified form of certain of the elements shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side view of the camera with most of the door broken away to show the within contained magazine;

Fig. 8 is a top View, partly in section, of the camera with the door in closed and locked position;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View on line 9-9 of Fig. 7 and Fig. is a fragmentary sectional view on line Iii-40 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, our improved camera case has a top H (containing view finder i2), a front end i3 (Figs. 4, '7 and 8) containing an objective It, a rear end 55 and opposing sides it and H (Figs. 3, 4 and 8). The case bottom is indicated by Hi in Figs. 3 and 7. The aforesaid ends, sides, top

and bottom enclose a space, a portion of which contains a motor and filmadvancing parts (not shown) and another portion of which comprises a magazine chamber.

The side it is formed in two part one'afrelav tively short, fixed front portion 55a, thefother a relatively long, movable rear portion ltb that constitutes a door for the case. suitable'pivo'ting means much as a piano type hinge it forms a connection betweenportions its and b of the side 16 as best shown in Figs. 1, 4, 7 and 8.

Theftop i i, bottom T8 (Fig. 3) andlar ehd l5 each maybe divided into two "porti nsgone of which in each case'is integral with the'niovable portion lfih'of side 15. Thus, top portion] la that carries most of view finder f2, sidefp'ortion [Hid (Fig.3) 'andrear end portion I511 each are "connected to the side portion 55b. These portions define all but one side of the aforementioned magazine chamber. The remaining sideof the magazin chambers provided by'a plate "a'fi'that 'subdivides the case interior into two substantially equal spaces. One space contains the cam ra motor and allied mechanism, (not sown), hereinafter sometimes called the body portion of the camera, while the other space forms the magazine chamber.

I Referring particularly to Fig. 4, 'a'link 24 is "provided to limit the extent (about 45 degrees) to which the door (portions l5b,fl5a, Ha and 18a) of thecase' can be opened. One endof link 24is pivota lly mountedat '25 to "portion ifl of the door, while the other end has a slotietherein that engages a pin' 2Tprotru ding from'the interiorsurface of bottoml'B. A spring element 28 bears against this provides friction relationshipbetween link '24 and the pin '21. Accordingly, the door does'not swing in a free manner, but rather "must'b'e 'manu'ally moved'to overcome the friction thus provided. This makes the case easier to manipulate during film loading and unloading, particularly'under field conditions.

The previously mentioned film magazine is 'shown' at '30 in Figs. 2, 3, 4 (dotted lines), 5, '1, a,

9 andlO. Referring to Fig. 2, magazine 30 has exposure aperture-'3: at 'its'front end and a slot 32in its'top. 'Within the magazine there is a shutter (not shown) that is movable to open and'close'exposure 'apertureSI. The "shutter is,

operatively'connected to a controlling pin '33 that protrudes through slot 32. When'pi'n' 33is atthe'forwardend of the slot as shown in Fig. 2, the shutter'is in closed 1 position. Conversely, when controlling pin33 mat the rear of slot'32, the shutter i open. As mentioned above, it is I important thatthe shutter be closed at all times except when the magazine is in picture taking 'pesition within 'the' closedand locked camera use.

latter "end "of link to 80 gageable' members "351'are 'shown for convenience 'in'a plane somewhat'above engaging me'mbersiifi.

Having thus described the camera case and the film magazine used therein, the locking mechanism for the door together with associated means for actuating the magazine shutter will now be described. The details of this mechanism are best shown in the perspective view, Fig. 5.

A pair of spaced, fixed engageable members 35 are carried on the interior of portion i5a of rear end 15. This portion l5a is the end of the door opposite to the end associated with hinge 20. The remaining elements of the locking mechanism are carried by the body portion of the camera case. v, A pair of spaced, movable engaging members 35 are disposed in cooperating relationship with engageable members 35. The engaging members 36 are carried by a sliding bar 3? that moves parallel to the case end [5. Sliding bar 3'! is disposed on the body portion side of dividing plate, 22, and 'tl e upstanding engaging memhe'rstiiextend through slots 38 (Fig. '7) provided in the platc. Engaging members 3'. are adapted tornove back and forth within the cooperating slot's't'fifthe members 3'! locking themselves with engageable members 35 when in one position,

and being 'free of said members when being in their alternative position. v

The sliding bar 31 is moved back and forth by means of a plate '45 that'i's'mounted for pivotal rotation on a pin 4 i. The pin 6i may be carried by the aforementioned dividing plate 22. A'kn ob '42 is attached to plate' l'fi so that the plate may enters slo't 45. The length of siotaeissiich that the slot ends'respectively engage andm'ove pin '46 when platedfiis substantially at'the limits of its rotation. These limits, of course, are iachedwheh knob is rec'eiiied'wlthln therespective recesses 43 and 44 above mentioned.

Itwill' be noted in Fig.'5' that the locking mechanism is'in close position,'a1though theen- The pin 46"a'nd associated sliding bar?! have been moved to the left by the end of'sl0t'45 during the last few degrees-through which plate' iil has'been rotated. In actuating the locking mechanism to open position, knob"' 52 isrnoved'to the' right (looking at Fig. 5) thus rotating plate in a counterclockwisedirection. "During the larger 'portion of this rotation, slot 25 travels from left to right "With reference to'pin45' and the pin remains stationary. During the'last few degrees of rotation the end of slOt t5reaches pin46'a'nd moves the pinto the right a sufficient distance 'to free members 36 from il'fi erilbis 35.

The slot ends'a're slightly enlarged, as shown, to permit this action without binding.

The right-handend'of plate ifi, as shown' in Fig.5, has'an u standing pin 50. 1A sliding bar 5I' has a'lateral extension 52 containing an elon- 'g'ated slot 53. rhe pin to 'is received within ems gated slot 53"as shovvnin the figure. Sliding bar 5| carriesfa pair of spaced, headed pins "55' that engage and are guided by spaced, elongated slots '5B(Figs. '7 and 8) 'inplate 22. Sliding bar5l carries an upstanding lug 58 having a slot 59 therein. A tapered cam surface 60 leads from the rear to the entrance of slot 59 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The sliding bar 5| with its slot 59 and cam surface 60 cooperates to actuate the shutter controlling pin 33 of magazine 30. It will be noted that sliding bar 5| by virtue of its connection to plate 40 responds in a positive manner to plate rotation. In other words, rotation of plate 4|! in either direction is translated directly into corresponding longitudinal motion of sliding bar 5|.

The length of sliding bar 5| is such that its slot 59 registers with pin 33 of magazine 30 when the magazine is properly positioned within the magazine chamber. During the act of loading, the camera door is, of course, open, and the looking mechanism is in the alternative position to that shown in Fig. 5. At this time sliding bar 5| is in its extreme, forward position. Control pin 33 likewise is in its extreme, forward position in slot 32 prior to loading, that is, the shutter is closed. Upon inserting magazine 3!] in the magazine chamber, pin 33 rides on cam surface 60 of sliding bar 5| and finally drops into slot 59. Thereafter, the door is closed and knob 42 is moved in a clockwise direction from recess 44 to recess 43. This rotates plate 40 on its axis 4| and moves sliding bar 5| to its extreme, rearward position. Pin 33 thus is moved to its rearward position and the magazine shutter is opened. Toward the end of the rotation of plate ii), the engaging members 36 interfit with the engageable members 35 of the door, thus locking the camera door in close position. Conversely, in unlocking the case, sliding bar 5| moves forwardly to close the magazine shutter. Since the locking mechanism disengages the door only during the final movement of this operation, it will be seen that the shutter is fully closed before it is possible to open the camera door to remove the magazine. This feature provides a safeguard against accidental exposure of the magazine to external light before the shutter has been closed.

Fig. 6 shows a modified construction wherein rotatable plate 40a is provided with peripheral teeth 62 that mesh with teeth 63 on sliding bar 5|a. Plate 40a has an arcuate slot 450. corresponding with slot 45 in the previously described plate 40. The periphery of plate 40a extending through the rear end l5 of the casing may be scalloped as shown at 64 for ease in manually rotating the plate.

From the above description it is thought that the construction and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or losing the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a movie camera of the magazine type, a case comprising a body portion and a door portion, a hinge connection between said portions at one end of said door portion, and a latching means interconnecting the other end of said door portion and said body portion, said latching means comprising a pair of spaced, fixed engageable members carried by said door portion, a pair of cooperating spaced, movable engaging members carried by said body portion, and means for moving said engaging members to and from said engageable members, said last named means comprising a sliding bar carrying said engaging members, a plate carried by said body portion and pivoted thereto, means for rotating said plate on its pivot within a limited range, said plate having a substantially circular slot therein, a pin extending from said sliding bar into said slot, the length of said slot being such that the movement of said pin required to effect engagement and disengagement of said engaging members occurs at the extreme limits of plate rotation, and a second sliding bar carried by said body portion and actuated in a positive manner by said rotatable plate, said second sliding bar having a slot therein disposed to receive a magazine shutter controlling pin extending from a magazine whereby the shutter is respectively opened and closed as said plate is rotated to latch and unlatch said door portion.

2. In a movie camera of the magazine type, a case comprising a body portion and a door portion, a hing connection between said portions at one end of said door portion, and a latching means interconnecting the other end of said door portion and said body portion, said latching means comprising a fixed engageable member carried by said door portion, a cooperating movable engaging member carried by said body portion, means for moving said engaging member to and from said engageable member, said last named means including a plate carried by said body portion and pivoted thereto, means for rotating said plate within a limited range, said plate having an arcuate slot therein, a pin associated with said engaging member and extending into said slot, the length of said slot being such that the movement of said pin required to effect engagement and disengagement of said engaging member occurs at the extreme limits of plate rotation, and a sliding bar carried by said body portion and actuated in a positive manner by said rotatable plate, said sliding bar having means to receive a magazine shutter controlling pin extending from a magazine whereby the shutter is respectively opened and closed as said plate is rotated to latch and unlatch said door portion.

3. In a case for a movie camera of the magazine type including a body portion and a door portion, the combination therewith of a latching means interconnecting said portions, said latching means comprising an engageable member and engaging member each carried by one of said portions, means for moving said engaging member to and from said engageable member, said last named means including a pivotally mounted plate, means for rotating said plate within a limited range, said plate having an arcuate slot therein, a projection from said engaging member extending into said slot, the length of said slot being such that the movement of said projection required to effect engagement and disengagement of said engaging member occurs at the limits of plate rotation, and a sliding bar actuated in a positive manner by said rotatable plate, said sliding bar having means to receive a magazine shutter controlling pin extending from a magazine whereby the shutter is respectively opened and closed as said plate is rotated to latch and unlatch said door portion.

4. In a case for a movie camera of the magazine type including a body portion and a door portion, the combination therewith of a latching means interconnecting said portions, said latching means comprising an engageable member and engaging member each carried by one of said portions, means for moving said engaging member to amphi- JACK BRISKIN. JOSEPH 'J. GOLICK.

REFERENCES onto The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,792,436. Mery Feb. 10, 1931 1,937,354 Morsbach Nov. 28, 1933 2,080,021. Wittel May 11, 193'? 2,175,538 Morsbach et al Oct. 10, 1939 2,186,612, Mihalyli s- Jan. 9, .1940 2,211,334- Lechleitner Aug. 13, 1940 2,262,570 Wittel Nov. 11, 1941 2,319,530 Bolsey May 18, 1943 2,357,158, Zuber Aug. 29, 1944 

